How to Install Timeless Rail-and-Stile Wainscoting

Wainscoting wall treatments are a classic way to add architectural interest to any room. Consisting of horizontal rails and vertical stiles, this relatively easy woodworking project is based on a design found in historic homes, and is sure to lend old-home charm to builder-basic new spaces.

Wainscoting Wall Treatment

Wall treatments that add architectural interest to a room are definitely a trend in home décor. This ¾ wainscoting treatment based on a design found in a historic home, is a relatively easy diy project that will boost the wow factor in any space.

A Note Before Beginning: This treatment is best installed on a baseboard with a flat top. If baseboard tapers at the top, it’s best to replace them prior to installing this style of wainscoting. The trim in this room is simply 1” x 6” pine boards, finished with quarter-round at the base.

How to Install Wainscoting - Before You Begin

A note before beginning: This treatment is best installed on a baseboard with a flat top. If baseboard tapers at the top, it is best to replace them prior to installing this style of wainscoting. The trim in this room is simply 1” x 6” pine boards, finished with ¼ round at the base.

Installing Horizontal Top Rail

Measure 60” up from the floor with a measuring tape and mark with pencil. This is the height of the bottom of the horizontal top rail (Image 1). Cut 1” x 6” board to proper width for wall. Hold in place, lining bottom edge up with pencil mark. Balance a level on top and adjust until bubble shows board is level. Nail into place with 1-1/4” finish nails (Image 2). Place two nails, one towards top and one towards the bottom of the board, every 10-12”. It’s best if a few nails securing each board are shot into studs. Use a stud finder and mark their location lightly with a pencil while working around the room. Tip: Start on the least visible wall in the room, so your technique can be perfected before working on areas that are focal points.

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 1: Installing Horizontal Top Rail

Measure 60” up from the floor with a measuring tape and mark with pencil. This is the height of the bottom of the horizontal top rail.

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 1: Installing Horizontal Top Rail

Cut 1” x 6” board to proper width for wall. Hold in place, lining bottom edge up with pencil mark. Balance a level on top and adjust until bubble shows board is level. Nail into place with 1 ¼” finish nails. Place two nails, one towards top and one towards the bottom of the board, every 10-12”. It is best if a few nails securing each board are shot into studs. Use a stud finder and mark their location lightly with a pencil while working around the room. Tip: Start on the least visible wall in the room, so your technique can be perfected before working on areas that are focal points.

Install the Stiles

Cut 1” x 4” boards being used for stiles (vertical boards) so they fit between the bottom of the horizontal top rail and top of baseboards. Because not all floors are level and walls plumb, double-check this measurement periodically around the room because they will most likely change. Select a starting point that works best aesthetically for that particular length of wall. It may look best to start from left to right, right to left, or center and work out. Install stiles vertically, every 14”. Use a level before affixing each board to the wall to ensure the stile is plumb. Tip: Cut a scrap piece of wood to 14” long to use as a 'measuring stick' between each stile. This method is quicker and more accurate than using a tape measure each time.

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 2: Install the Stiles

Cut 1” x 4” boards being used for stiles (vertical boards) so it fits between the bottom of the horizontal top rail and top of baseboards. Because not all floors are level and walls plumb, double-check this measurement periodically around the room. It might change! Select a starting point that works best aesthetically for that particular length of wall. It may look best to start from left to right, right to left, or center and work out. Install stiles vertically, every 14”. Use a level before affixing each board to the wall to ensure the stile is plumb. Tip: Cut a scrap piece of wood to 14” long to use as a “measuring stick” between each stile. This method is quicker and more accurate than using a tape measure each time.

Install Rails

Cut 1” x 4” boards to 14” long to use as rails. Use 14” 'measuring stick' to measure between top rail and lower rail to form a 14” square pattern. Once properly placed and level, nail into place with finishing nails to secure (Image 1). Note: This wainscoting can be installed where the rails interrupt stiles or stiles interrupt the rails. (See diagram, Image 2.) We tried both methods and found it was easiest to have the stiles (vertical) interrupt the rails (horizontal) as described in this tutorial.

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 3: Install Rails

Cut 1” x 4” boards to 14” long to use as rails. Use 14” “measuring stick” to measure between top rail and lower rail to form a 14” square pattern. Once properly placed and level, nail into place with finishing nails to secure.

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 3: Install Rails

Note: This wainscoting can be installed where the rails interrupt stiles or stiles interrupt the rails. We tried both methods and found it was easiest to have the stiles interrupt the rails as described in this tutorial.

Install Ledge

Cut 1” x 2” pine board to proper measurement on chop/miter saw. Rest on top of horizontal top rail to create a ledge. Nail into place, downward into top rail (Image 1). Note: Where corners meet, wood can be butted together or mitered. (See diagram, Image 2, which is the view from above.) Some adjustments may need to be made around light switches and outlets. Pattern may also be adjusted under windowsills, around built-in pieces, etc. Repeat steps #1-4 around the room until wainscoting is complete (Image 3).

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 4: Install Ledge

Cut 1” x 2” pine board to proper measurement on chop/miter saw. Rest on top of horizontal top rail to create a ledge. Nail into place, downward into top rail.

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 4: Install Ledge

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 4: Install Ledge

Some adjustments may need to be made around light switches and outlets. Pattern may also be adjusted under windowsills, around built-in pieces, etc. Repeat steps #1-4 around the room until wainscoting is complete.

Caulk, Fill, Prime and Paint

Use paintable trim caulk and a caulk gun to fill cracks and lines where wood pieces meet each other, baseboards, moldings and the wall. Allow caulk to completely dry prior to priming. Fill nail holes with wood filler, working it into each nail hole with a fingertip. Lightly sand filler smooth with 180-grit paper once it's dry. Apply primer to walls and wood using a foam trim roller and 2” angled sash paintbrush (Image 1). Allow primer to completely dry. In the same manner, paint on trim paint in desired color and finish. Allow paint to dry, then enjoy your living room, dining room or foyer's timeless new look (Images 2, 3 and 4).

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors

How to Install Wainscoting: Step 5: Caulk, Fill, Prime, and Paint

Use paintable trim caulk and a caulk gun to fill cracks and lines where wood pieces meet each other, baseboards, moldings, and the wall. Allow caulk to completely dry prior to priming. Fill nail holes with wood filler, working it into each nail hole with a fingertip. Lightly sand filler smooth with 180-grit paper once it is dry. Apply primer to walls and wood using a foam trim roller and 2” angled sash paintbrush. Allow primer to completely dry. In the same manner, paint on trim paint in desired color and finish. Allow paint to dry.

Cottage Living Room with Curtained Window

Hanging curtain rods can be a pain! All of the measuring and levels and the end result might still be off. It’s especially challenging if you’re hanging several rods in one room. An easy-to-make template makes hanging curtain rods quick and stress free.

Tags:

Wainscoting Wall Treatment

Wall treatments that add architectural interest to a room are definitely a trend in home décor. This ¾ wainscoting treatment based on a design found in a historic home, is a relatively easy diy project that will boost the wow factor in any space.

Tags:

Next Up

Trunk-style coffee tables are not only stylish, they also provide practical storage for toys, extra throws and pillows, a movie collection and anything that needs to be stored for a busy family. This rustic trunk-style coffee table is an easy build, but the result will have your friends thinking you're a pro woodworker.

Salvaged wood and architectural remnants are prime candidates to be repurposed as furniture. In the case of this table, pieces of an old rope bed and a beadboard door are upcycled into a functional and one-of-a-kind coffee table.

Hanging curtain rods can be a pain! You can spend lots of time measuring and marking the brackets’ placement, yet the end result might still be off. It’s especially challenging if you’re hanging several rods in one room. This easy, DIY template makes hanging drapery hardware straightforward and stress free.